Friday, 26 June 2026
No more jumps at this meeting today.
Punty's Punts
Race type: Handicap, 1000m
Map & tempo: Slow speed, with Honniball Drive the likely pilot and Big Lon the stalker if the front end doesn't go troppo.
Punty read: This is a race where the first horse to get comfy probably gets the first crack at the prize. Honniball Drive has the market sniffing around and should get every chance to lead or sit outside the speed, while Big Lon is the one who can land in a soft run and nick a place if the favourite is made to work. Whiskeysippi River is the swooper in a race that might not give him much to swoop at unless the leaders overdo it, and Columbo's gear change says they're trying something fresh, but the alley is no gift.
Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)
1. Honniball Drive (No.6) — $1.89 / $1.22 🏆 3RD
Bet $5.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$5.00
Prob 36.5% | Place: 66.7% | Value: 0.89x
Why The race looks built around his early position; if he jumps clean and rolls to the front, the others may be left needing a miracle.
2. Big Lon (No.2) — $6.45 / $2.00 🏆 2ND
Bet $10.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$10.00
Prob 13.8% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.15x
Why The drift has opened the door a bit, but the map still gives him a cracking chance to sit handy and run into the money.
3. Whiskeysippi River (No.11) — $5.45 / $1.80 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.2% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 0.79x
Why Needs the leaders to cut each other's throats and a bit of luck in the lane; that's a hard ask in a race likely controlled on speed.
Roughie: Columbo (No.4) — $10.75 / $2.60 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.0% | Place: 46.3% | Value: 1.52x
Why The new gear is interesting, but from the gate he's going to need the race to fall apart and a clear shot late.
Race type: Maiden, 1000m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo with a handful wanting the front and not a lot of room for passengers.
Punty read: This one's a proper mug's lottery unless the right horse just lands in the right chair. Supido Star is the short one and the one with the least excuses, Puffin can stalk the speed and keep punching, and Daisy Duck is the one who can sneak into the finish if she doesn't get trapped wide and cooked. Spellecast has had a shove in the market and that's not random, but maidens like this can turn into a scene from Mad Max in about two strides.
Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)
1. Supido Star (No.13) — $2.21 / $1.25 🏆 WINNER
Bet $5.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$7.00
Prob 37.1% | Place: 63.7% | Value: 1.08x
Why Class, consistency and a workable enough map make him the obvious one to lean on in a race where plenty are still learning their trade.
2. Puffin (No.11) — $4.85 / $1.85 🏆 4TH
Bet $4.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$4.00
Prob 14.3% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.71x
Why Maps to get a handy run and keep grinding; in a maiden this shifty, the place is the sensible harbour.
3. Daisy Duck (No.8) — $7.25 / $2.35 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $1.50 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$1.50
Prob 11.6% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.84x
Why The drift is a bit ugly, but she's still got enough early dash to land in the minor money if she isn't parked in the car park.
Roughie: Spellecast (No.5) — $10.40 / $3.10 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.8% | Place: 28.4% | Value: 0.79x
Why The market move is shouting at you, but the race shape still says this is more one to respect than to go running at.
Race type: Maiden, 1200m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo, with the better draw horses able to settle and the backmarkers needing a bit of luck.
Punty read: Leovanni is the horse they all have to chase here, and Aaron Bullock in the saddle is the sort of upgrade that matters when the pressure goes on. Side Quest is the grinder who can fill a hole if the race gets messy, Scathingly is the place horse with a nice pattern and a touch of market support, and Luke Skywalker is the roughie who only gets into the story if the leaders burn too much fuel. This is the sort of maiden where one proper horse can make the rest look like they were just out for a Sunday canter.
Top 3 + Roughie ($10.00 pool)
1. Leovanni (No.4) — $1.98 / $1.25 🏆 2ND
Bet $4.50 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$4.50
Prob 33.5% | Place: 63.7% | Value: 1.12x
Why Honest, hard to knock and the class edge is obvious; if she brings her best, the rest are running for the minor spoils.
2. Side Quest (No.12) — $3.67 / $1.45 🏆 4TH
Bet $3.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$3.00
Prob 15.8% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.93x
Why Not flashy, but the profile screams grinder who can keep going when the others start paddling.
3. Scathingly (No.11) — $6.70 / $2.25 🏆 6TH
Bet $2.50 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$2.50
Prob 14.4% | Place: 54.9% | Value: 0.74x
Why Gets into the right shape as a place horse if the race turns into a slog and the speed isn't too hot.
Roughie: Luke Skywalker (No.15) — $13.00 / $3.50 🏆 8TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.1% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 0.44x
Why He's the one who can swoop if the pace gets serious, but he'll need the race to fall his way like a stolen lightsaber.
Race type: Super Maiden Plate, 1400m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo, but it's one of those races where the first bloke to blink could get eaten alive.
Punty read: This is a full-blown chaos special. Splash Of Steel gets the nod because the map suits and the stable has set the scene nicely, while Mr Bohemian has had market support and the inside gate makes him a live watch. Toke is the smoky with the big move and the sort of on-pace profile that can pop a result if the speed gets messy. All Too Sheik is the roughie, but the drift says the mob isn't exactly smoking the pipe about him, so he's more a spectator than a must-have.
Top 3 + Roughie ($21.00 pool)
1. Splash Of Steel (No.6) — $2.17 / $1.30 🏆 WINNER
Bet $7.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$8.40
Prob 40.1% | Place: 95.0% | Value: 1.01x
Why The map is the gift here; if he lobs in the right spot and keeps his momentum, he can outstay the chaos around him.
2. Mr Bohemian (No.14) — $4.85 / $1.95 🏆 4TH
Bet $10.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$10.00
Prob 14.3% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.16x
Why The inside-ish draw and the money say he's ready to run a cheeky race if the favourites get caught in traffic.
3. Toke (No.7) — $10.40 / $3.20 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $4.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$4.00
Prob 9.4% | Place: 54.9% | Value: 1.26x
Why Firming for a reason and maps to be right in the firing line; if the race turns into a scrap, he's the sort who can sneak into the finish.
Roughie: All Too Sheik (No.1) — $19.75 / $4.60 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 3.7% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 1.02x
Why Wide enough in the market and wide enough in the mix; needs the race to get ugly and the favourites to hand him the invite.
Race type: Benchmark 82, 1600m
Map & tempo: Slow tempo, so position matters and nobody wants to be left buried back like a lost sock in the laundry.
Punty read: Bellini Spritz is the class horse and the one I'd want rolling in a crawl like this, especially with the price trimming and the stable likely happy with the set-up. Indifference is the grinder with the right backstory and enough class to lob into the finish if the race turns tactical, while Oenology gets the fresh gear and the weight relief to run into the placings if the tempo stays gentle. Pontevedra is the roughie, but the ticket's already built around the likely shapes, so he's more a one for the notebook than the wallet.
Top 3 + Roughie ($18.50 pool)
1. Bellini Spritz (No.6) — $3.12 / $1.37 🏆 WINNER
Bet $9.50 Win — ✓ Won, net +$26.60
Prob 25.3% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.04x
Why In a slow-run mile, class and race craft count for plenty, and this one looks set to get the run of the race.
2. Indifference (No.1) — $7.35 / $2.25 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.5% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 1.30x
Why A real chance — but at $2.25 the place he's not a saver, he's a punt, and that's not a price I insure at. Watching, not betting.
3. Oenology (No.8) — $6.10 / $2.15 🏆 3RD
Bet $9.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$13.50
Prob 13.5% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 1.08x
Why The fresh gear and lighter impost help, and if they dawdle early he's the sort who can come right into it late.
Roughie: Pontevedra (No.10) — $9.70 / $2.80 🏆 7TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.4% | Place: 65.5% | Value: 1.45x
Why Could be the one charging late if the race becomes a sit-and-sprint, but we're not forcing it.
Race type: Benchmark 58, 1000m
Map & tempo: Hot tempo, leaders everywhere, and this could turn into a straight-up petrol war.
Punty read: This is the race where you want a horse that can park in the right spot and not get dragged into the speed duel. Capsity is the model pick because the low draw gives him a lovely map in a race that could self-destruct, while Beyond The Sky and Kakoda are both dangerous enough on paper but not the sort you want to over-insure when the race is this hot. Showtime Sassy is the roughie with the big price tag and the big shape, but the ticket's already built to attack the right run rather than the flashy one.
Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)
1. Capsity (No.3) — $5.15 / $2.05 🏆 6TH
Bet $10.50 Each Way ($5.25W + $5.25P) — ✗ Lost, net -$10.50
Prob 16.2% | Place: 34.5% | Value: 1.11x
Why Low gate, on-pace map and a race that should set up for the horse who can sit just off the burn and keep finding.
2. Beyond The Sky (No.5) — $5.75 / $2.25 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.2% | Place: 63.7% | Value: 1.25x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Kakoda (No.9) — $3.53 / $1.55 🏆 WINNER
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.8% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 0.70x
Why Can absolutely ping and lead, but this looks more like a horse for the front end of the race than the front end of your wallet.
Roughie: Showtime Sassy (No.13) — $48.50 / $8.50 🏆 10TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 1.2% | Place: 12.8% | Value: 0.75x
Why If the leaders turn this into a demolition derby, the mare with the price tag can charge late, but that's a collector's item rather than a plan.
Race type: Class 3, 1400m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace with a leader in Meddlesome and a few others happy to keep the pressure honest.
Punty read: This is a proper race, and the market has already started chucking its chips around with a few firmers. Cheval Chic gets the winkers and the nod as the top pick, Naughty Nurse is the value-looking runner from the inside draw, and Meddlesome is the horse they all have to beat if the favourite can get across cleanly. My Angel Shell is the roughie, and while the money likes plenty of these, this one needs a bit of race shape magic to get involved.
Top 3 + Roughie ($17.50 pool)
1. Cheval Chic (No.2) — $4.45 / $1.90 🏆 WINNER
Bet $13.50 Each Way ($6.75W + $6.75P) — ✓ Won, net +$31.05
Prob 15.9% | Place: 64.0% | Value: 0.94x
Why The winkers can sharpen her up and she's got the sort of map that lets her run the race on her terms.
2. Naughty Nurse (No.6) — $7.70 / $2.50 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.1% | Place: 58.7% | Value: 1.44x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Meddlesome (No.11) — $2.87 / $1.37 🏆 6TH
Bet $4.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$4.00
Prob 14.1% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 0.54x
Why The class horse, and if he gets across without spending a fortune early he'll be there when the whips are out.
Roughie: My Angel Shell (No.15) — $9.70 / $3.10 🏆 8TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.1% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 1.17x
Why The market has noticed her and the form is solid enough, but the race shape still asks a few questions.
Race type: Benchmark 82, 1200m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo, but with leaders and on-pace runners everywhere it can turn into a proper wrestle.
Punty read: Hellcibell has the firming behind her and looks the one with the map and the momentum, while Tough Guy is the favourite but short enough to make you wince a bit if you're trying to back him straight out. Andale Andale is the value horse in the race if you like one sitting handy and running through the line, and New Pharoah is the roughie who could absolutely blow a hole in the quinella if the pace gets hot and they start getting legless up front.
Top 3 + Roughie ($8.50 pool)
1. Hellcibell (No.7) — $5.15 / $2.05 🏆 12TH
Bet $8.50 Each Way ($4.25W + $4.25P) — ✗ Lost, net -$8.50
Prob 18.0% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 1.24x
Why The market support makes sense, she's got the right type of profile for a race that could get messy if they overdo it early.
2. Tough Guy (No.9) — $2.15 / $1.25 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.0% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 0.52x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Andale Andale (No.10) — $6.25 / $2.25 🏆 WINNER
Bet Tracked
Prob 17.4% | Place: 43.3% | Value: 1.46x
Why A handy map and a decent engine, but it still needs the race to play kindly and the ticket's not begging for it.
Roughie: New Pharoah (No.4) — $12.75 / $3.60 🏆 10TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.3% | Place: 35.0% | Value: 0.91x
Why If the speed melts down, this is the one who can clatter home and make the photo finish look messy.
Race type: Benchmark 58, 1000m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo with a couple of leaders, and the on-speed brigade should get first crack at it.
Punty read: Iknowyou is the reliable on-pace anchor and the one to build around, while Solar Blast has the market move and enough of a profile to be respected if the run lands right. Maxandus is the favourite but the price is a bit hot for my liking, and On Hold is the roughie with the proper overlay if you wanted to roll the dice late. This is the sort of sprint where one bad jump or one bad steer can turn a sure thing into a howling mistake, so don't get too cute.
Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)
1. Iknowyou (No.2) — $4.08 / $1.75 🏆 7TH
Bet $10.50 Each Way ($5.25W + $5.25P) — ✗ Lost, net -$10.50
Prob 16.2% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 0.88x
Why Maps nicely, brings the right kind of consistency, and should get every chance to be right in the finish.
2. Solar Blast (No.3) — $5.85 / $2.20 🏆 9TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.3% | Place: 34.5% | Value: 1.12x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Maxandus (No.4) — $3.92 / $1.70 🏆 5TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.3% | Place: 34.5% | Value: 0.75x
Why The favourite has ability, but at the price and from the map, he's not the sort I want to trust with my last pie.
Roughie: On Hold (No.5) — $22.50 / $5.00 🏆 10TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 3.3% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 0.99x
Why If they go too hard up front, he's the one that can come charging late and make everyone look silly.
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 13,11,4,8 / 4,12,11,1 / 6,14,7,9 / 6,1,8,10 (256 combos x $0.14 = $35.00) -- 14% flexi
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 9,3,5,4 / 2,11,6,15 / 7,10,9,4 / 2,3,4,7 (256 combos x $0.31 = $80.00) -- 31% flexi
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 6 / 6 / 3 / 2 / 7 / 2 (1 combos x $2.00 = $2.00) -- 200% flexi
The day's multi leans on three win legs across the card.
1 - Honniball Drive (Race 1, No.6)✗ — $1.89
2 - Leovanni (Race 3, No.4)✗ — $1.98
3 - Splash Of Steel (Race 4, No.6)✓ Won — $2.17
Meeting Stats
Selections
Punty's Early Mail
Rightio Loose Units, Tamworth on a Soft 5 with the rail true and showers lurking like a dodgy mate who always turns up after the tab's been opened. This looks like one of those meetings where the early sprints can reward the on-speed brigade, but the middle of the card turns into a proper trench fight if the track chops up a touch.
MEET SNAPSHOT
Track: Tamworth, 1000m to 1600m card
Rail: True
Official going: Soft 5 (expected to play a touch on-pace friendly if the showers stick around)
Weather: Showers, 13°C, humidity 92%, wind 5km/h SW (watch for a late churn-up and the odd gust)
Early lane guess: Fence to a lane or two off it looks the sweet spot early; if the rain sneaks in, don't drift too wide too soon
Tempo profile: Early sprints look genuine without being suicidal; the middle legs are more tactical, but Race 6 is a proper burn-up and Race 8/9 can get ugly fast
Jockeys to follow:
Aaron Bullock, the bloke you want when a race has a class edge and a map edge; he can ride a short one and a roughie without making it look like a hostage situation.
Ben Looker, keeps landing on live rides across the sprint and benchmark races, and he usually finds the right spot without burning petrol.
Mitchell Bell, all over the card with a stack of chances, and he's the sort of hoop who can make an on-pace map look bloody simple.
Stables to respect:
Brett & Georgie Cavanough (plenty of runners), they've got live darts scattered through the card, especially the ones that map well and keep popping up in the market.
Holly Williams (multiple runners), a few of hers are sitting in the right races with the right map, and there's enough depth there to cause a headache.
D J Hatch (multiple runners), early-speed types, handy sprint horses, and a couple of betting lines that have already got the market's attention.
Punty's take:
Tamworth on a Soft 5 with a true rail is one of those days where the map isn't just important, it's the whole bloody movie. If you're back in the 1000m and 1200m skirmishes, you want to be on horses that can hold a spot without getting shuffled back to the arse end of the field like a bloke who turned up late to a Bunnings sausage sizzle.
The sprints look like they'll reward the horses that jump clean, hold ground and keep rolling. Honniball Drive, Supido Star, Splash Of Steel and Bellini Spritz are the kind of runners that can make their own luck, while the open races later in the card have enough moving parts to make your head wobble. If the showers land on the track proper, backmarkers are going to need a bit of The Avengers-level teamwork to get involved.
Brett & Georgie Cavanough have a serious scattergun setup across the meeting, Holly Williams has a few live ones in the right lanes, and D J Hatch has a couple that the market already seems to like. Aaron Bullock is the hoop I'd trust most when the race needs a proper steer, while Ben Looker and Mitchell Bell are the other pair who can turn a good map into a winner without turning the whip out too early.
What it means for you:
Lean into the races where the map and the market are singing the same tune. The short-course stuff early is where the anchors live, and the bigger-field scraps are where you want to be a bit stingy with the wallet and a bit ruthless with the book. If a horse needs a dream run, a miracle and a priest, maybe don't make it your problem.
The sensible play is to back the horses that can park handy and do their work without a drama. When the race looks like a proper dogfight, go place or each way and stop trying to win every battle like you're in Braveheart. The value isn't always the flashiest price, sometimes it's the runner who gets the cosy sit and keeps hitting the line while the others are blowing flames.